Wednesday, November 2, 2016

WAWA MARKET TO OPEN DEC. 16

The long-awaited Wawa Market on Springfield Avenue near Jacoby Street is slated for a grand opening on Friday, Dec. 16, according to Mayor Vic Deluca.

He announced the date at Tuesday night's Township Committee meeting, adding it will be at 9:30 a.m.

"They are going to open for business that morning," Deluca said. "We have been working with them trying to get Maplewood residents hired. They will have about 40 hires and they think about half of them will be from Maplewood."

See more background on that HERE.

GRAFFITI YOUR THANKS IN MAPLEWOOD VILLAGE

The Gratitude Graffiti Project, launched four years ago in Maplewood as a way for residents to express their gratitude during the Thanksgiving season, is on again this year.

The event runs through Thanksgiving Day and gives locals a chance to write what they are grateful for on the walls and windows of participating Maplewood Village shops.

See more background HERE and head out to give your thanks.








TOWNSHIP MOVES AHEAD WITH MORE PARKING ON SPRINGFIELD AVENUE

The Township is moving to lease the parking lot on Springfield Avenue between the Yale Street Commons that houses Top Hat & Tails and the building housing The Rack and Scoops and Soups to add at least 20 more spaces for pubic use.

The Township Committee on Tuesday night directed Township Administrator Joe Manning to move ahead with plans that would allow the lot's owner to forgo his annual $5,751 in taxes for the property in exchange for allowing public parking. There may also be a per-space fee paid by the Township as well.

"This owner is having a problem because people are parking there," Mayor Vic Deluca said during the Tuesday night meeting. "His alternative is to put fences up, which I don't think would be great for Springfield Avenue."

The TC directed the administration to move ahead with lease plans and have the township engineer assess the situation to see how best to place parking space stripes and monitor the use for two-hour parking. The lot is currently paved.

It would also offer a direct link from Springfield Avenue to the large public parking lot behind those buildings that is accessible now through Yale Street.

"We'd get a parking lot, we'd be able to monitor," Deluca said. "We'd be able to stripe it, signage of two-hour parking, monitor that and it would be a better gateway to Yale Street parking than we have now."

It would likely be ready for use by 2017.

GOP CANDIDATE SUMMERSGILL ON NEIGHBORHOODS HE VISITED

Republican Township Committee Candidate Mike Summersgill boasts he walked all Maplewood election districts, and had some telling views of each neighborhood.

See his update below:

On Sunday 10/30, Mike Summersgill, Maplewood Township Committee Candidate completed canvassing all 20 of Maplewood’s election districts. He knocked on almost 4000 doors across 16 weekends starting in June. An expert in logistics and routing, he approached the challenge with a defined process to maximize his reach.

“Courter Ave asked the hardest questions with one example not being enough.”

"Bowdoin was the chattiest block and it took me almost 2 hours to go through about 40 homes.”

“Van Ness Terrace was the street where I most wanted to be invited inside for a meal. I walked that block on a Sunday and the aromas of food being cooked was unbelievable.”

“Durand Rd was the friendliest street with the most residents offering me water and other cold drinks.”

“The best surprise was stumbling across the Kendall Ave block party and mixing in a couple beers with the political chatter.”

“The longest street I did was Prospect which took 5 hours.”

“I’m not finished knocking on doors, but I’m proud to have reached the milestone of reaching every neighborhood. I continue to be blown away by the talent and passion we have in this community. I appreciate the kindness and hospitality offered by my neighbors.” 

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

TOWNSHIP COMMITTEE MEETS TONIGHT ON HEALTH, STOP SIGNS AND MORE

The Township Committee meets tonight at Town Hall with a number of items on the agenda.

In addition to the monthly Board of Health meeting, the TC also plans to approve two more new stop signs as well as discuss a lease for parking on Springfield Avenue and a possible fundraiser for Haitian hurricane relief.

See the entire agenda HERE.

And, as always, you can show up for both public comment portions to ask a question, give them a piece of your mind or just a pat on the back. Remember, they work for you! 

SPRINGFIELD AVENUE ASSAULT AND ROBBERY LEADS POLICE WEEK

From Maplewood Police today:

October 29, 2016; Robbery; At approximately 9:30 PM, a 26 year old female was walking West on Springfield Ave from Boyden Ave.  While walking she observed a male with a black hooded sweatshirt and a scarf covering his face standing in front of her.  She began to cross the street and the male followed her, yelling out to her to stop and threatening her.  He then grabbed her purse and struck her before fleeing East on Springfield Ave with the purse.  The female was evaluated by MFD  and refused medical attention.   

October 24, 2016; Theft from Auto; During the overnight hours, cash was removed from an unsecured vehicle parked on Girard Pl.

October 26, 2016; Burglary; Between 9 AM and 9:45 AM a home on S. Pierson Rd was forcibly entered.  The proceeds of the burglary were not known at the time of the report.

SCENES FROM MAPLEWOOD VILLAGE HALLOWEEN





See more HERE

DONATE THAT EXTRA HALLOWEEN CANDY TO THE TROOPS

From Maplewood Family Dental:

Maplewood Family Dental
2168 Millburn Ave, Suite 201
Maplewood , NJ 07040 - 973.763.0808

They will will collect candy from November 1-5th.  Candy drop-off hours are:

  • Tuesday;      11/1 - 8am -2;30pm
  • Wednesday; 11/2-  8am- 5:30pm
  • Thursday;    11/3-  8am- 5:30pm
  • Friday;        11/4-  CLOSED, NO DONATIONS ACCEPTED
  • Saturday;     11/5-  8am- 12:30pm
The Halloween Candy BuyBack Program​ is a national tradition that gets kids in the sprit of giving - candy is accepted by dentists and shipped to the USO's Operation Gratitude​ for the troops (in this case, by me), along with cases of toothbrushes for good dental health.  Maplewood Family Dental will collect candy, donate new toothbrushes to the troops, acknowledge the kids, and make a monetary contribution from them and our area kids.  Kids are rewarded for parting with all the candy you don't want them to eat with a toothbrush, prize, and knowing that money has been donated to the troops on their behalf. If you wish to donate additional funds, you may do so here: